We have achieved comfort on a budget

Shirley and Ian Hall brought their fairytale cottage into the 21st century

Shirley and Ian have filled their living area with light by making the porch door glass, allowing the natural sunlight to flood in from the front door. A cleverly placed mirror helps to bounce the light back into the room

Since marrying quite a few years ago Shirley and Ian Hall have lived in 30 different properties – ‘some for Ian’s work and some because we like doing up houses,’ says Shirley, who used to run a bed and breakfast business. So their homes have ranged from a Portuguese villa, to a cottage in Devon, and now the 1890s Gloucestershire cottage they’re currently living in.

This fairytale thatched cottage was once two cottages which in the 1960s had been knocked together and a rear extension added. ‘When we came to view it two years ago we found the previous owner had been living here on a temporary basis while he built another house nearby,’ says Shirley. ‘The general look of the place was a bit bare and unloved. It was tired and tasteless but we could see it would make a great project.’

First the couple had a survey carried out and had the thatched roof checked too. ‘Everything passed muster,’ says Ian. ‘So we went ahead and bought it and began the improvements.’

The glass dining table at the end of the living room near the kitchen was a bargain £40 from Sainsbury’s

About Your Home Magazine

Autumn is upon us once again and the nights are drawing in, so in this issue we’ve put together lots of great ideas to make your home super warm and cosy for the months ahead. On page 40 we’ve got some snuggly suggestions that will turn your bedroom into the perfect haven to hibernate in on those cold winter nights to come. Meanwhile, on page 36, we’ve scoured the high street for the best hardworking furniture that will help you make the most of the space in any room of your house. Few of us are happy with how much room we have in our homes, so these smart storage solutions will really make a difference. And don’t forget to look at our fantastic makeovers this month (p.24) for some inspiring ways to make your living room look gorgeous on a budget. If you’re hoping to cut back on your energy bills over the coming months, then make sure you check out our round-up of the best eco buys for your kitchen on page 48, while in our home improvement section (p.106) we take a closer look at which eco-friendly updates will really help you cut your carbon footprint as well as your fuel bills. If, like me, autumn leaves you longing for some comfort food when you come home from work, then take a peek at our wonderful warming recipe ideas on page 100. The mushroom, spinach, kale and sweet potato pie is scrumptious – and good for you too! What’s not to love? See you next issue.